Engaging Students in ELA Class with Coding Projects by Rebecca Braungart

Summary:
I teach English and technology at the grade 6 level, so I decided to combine the two classes for
a cross curricular unit. I found the idea of the “plot pyramid” and story elements to be difficult for
student to grasp in ELA, and found their enthusiasm level off the charts in coding class, so I
combined their creative writing skills with computer coding to write as story and then create it by
animating and adding the various concepts with which they struggle.

About the Education Technologies and Emerging Media Program at Canisius College: The Education Technologies and Emerging Media Programs are innovative and fully online. The Master's Degree program is designed to prepare classroom teachers for New York State (NYS) certification as an Educational Technology Specialist (grades PreK-12). A degree option is also available for students not interested in NYS certification. These programs are designed to teach students how to use technology in the classroom in a purposeful way to enrich and enhance learning and motivate their students. Learn more at http://www.canisius.edu/education-technologies/